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Summertide Delivery

热海飙运

4 chapters · 586 lines · English and Chinese below. Japanese and Korean, voices and theatre mode are in the reader.

Heat Wave 热浪

The sky is clear and blue, accompanied by a warm lovely sunlight. The laughter of Dolls fills the air like the chiming of bells, the soft white sand covered with footprints of various sizes followed by the sound of rolling waves.碧空如洗，阳光明媚。绵软白沙上留下一串串深浅不一的脚印，人形们银铃般的笑声伴着海浪时隐时现。

ProfessorThank you, Centaureissi. I would have never imagined I could get a day off like this if not for how you arranged all our tasks in such an orderly fashion...谢谢你桑朵莱希，先前的任务被你安排得井井有条，没想到我还能挤出一天时间休假……

ProfessorLooks like coming to the seaside for a vacation was the right choice. After working through the night for days on end, being able to feel the natural sea breeze does wonders to clear the mind and lift the spirits.选择来海边度假果然是对的，忙到昏天黑地的时候感受一下清新自然的海风，瞬间神清气爽。

CentaureissiMaster, you have been working long hours recently. You should consider relaxing from time to time to ease your stress. Here, this orange juice is for you.长官最近经常忙到深夜，偶尔也该放松缓解一下疲劳，这是您的柳橙汁。

ProfessorMmm, tastes great.嗯，味道不错啊。

CentaureissiThere are some mint leaves in it to ease the heat. If you like it, I will provide some crispy food for you to enjoy later.里面加了些薄荷，清新消暑。如果您喜欢，之后的甜点也会加入一些爽口的食材……

??Ah! There you are, Professor!啊！原来教授躲在这里！

Just as Centaureissi and I are conversing, I see Jiangyu in the distance, racing towards us at top speed.我和桑朵莱希正说着，就看见远处的绛雨风风火火地朝我们冲过来。

JiangyuI found you at last, Professor! I've been combing the beach all day!终于找到你了教授，我都快把沙滩翻了个底朝天了！

ProfessorEr, is there some kind of emergency...?呃，有什么紧急的事情吗……

JiangyuIt's a super duper emergency! You hardly get any vacation time, so you need to cherish every moment of it!超级无敌特别紧急！教授休假的时间可太难得了，当然要珍惜每分每秒！

Jiangyu runs up to me and grabs my arm, as though she's afraid I'll run away, and tries her best to persuade me.绛雨像是害怕我逃跑一般赶紧挽住我的胳膊，努力劝说着我。

JiangyuProfessor, it's such a terrible waste for you to be sitting here when the weather's so good.教授你看，天气这么好，你却只是在这里坐着，多浪费呀。

JiangyuCountless heroes have faded into obscurity because they just sat down and did nothing! It's an insult to the clouds!要知道多少英雄之辈都是这么坐着坐着就变得默默无闻了，这在云端可是大忌！

ProfessorThose two things aren't linked, are they...两者没有必然联系吧……

JiangyuMovement is life! Now, let's sweat together! How about a game of beach volleyball, Professor~生命在于运动！现在，就让我们挥洒汗水动起来！一起来打沙滩排球怎么样，教授~

ProfessorBeach volleyball?沙滩排球？

Before I can reply, Jiangyu is already dragging me toward the seaside.还没等我答应，绛雨就不由分说地拉着我向海边进发。

ProfessorWait, wait, wait, are we going to play with just the two of us? I don't think I can last too long by myself against a kung fu Doll like you...等等等等，只有我们两个人吗？要让我和身为武打人形的你对战，我恐怕坚持不了多久……

JiangyuHaha, don't worry about that. I lured Undine in with the promise of a free lunch voucher.哈哈，这点你放心，我还以免费的午餐代金券作为诱饵找了温蒂妮。

Jiangyu points to the girl who's running over from the distance. Whenever a part-time job calls, Undine is bound to answer.绛雨指了指在远处来来回回跑动的银发少女。无论何时何地只要有兼职工作，必然会有温蒂妮出现。

JiangyuAs for the other person... Want to join us, Centaureissi?另外一个人选嘛……桑朵莱希要不要一起啊？

CentaureissiIf you need me, then I shall be there, Master.如果长官需要的话，我随时奉陪。

JiangyuSee, we've got a 2v2 beach volleyball team right there! Hehe, Jiangyu the rizzler settles it in three minutes~喏，2v2沙滩排球队达成！嘿嘿，社交达人绛雨三分钟搞定。

ProfessorWait, that's it?就这么决定了？

CentaureissiDon't worry, Master. I shall defend the team's honor.长官放心，队伍的荣耀交给我来守护。

CentaureissiIf you find things too boring, you may choose to sip your orange juice under a beach umbrella, sip your orange juice on the volleyball court, or sip your orange juice while swimming in the sea.您闲来无事可以选择在太阳伞下喝橙汁，在排球场上喝橙汁或者在海里一边游泳一边喝橙汁。

ProfessorWhy do they all involve sipping orange juice...都是喝橙汁啊……

??Ara—How scary. I can't believe you've been dragged over to perform physical labor while on holiday. Even medieval punishments weren't this cruel.哎呀——真可怕。难得休假还要被拉出来做运动，古早时候的酷刑也不过如此吧。

A certain black-haired Doll stretches lazily as she gets up from her deck chair and slowly struts over, grabbing my hand like it's the most natural thing in the world before preparing to abscond with me.黑发人形伸了个懒腰从沙滩椅上起身走来，步伐慵懒，靠近我后自然而然拉住我的手准备开溜。

ProfessorNora, where are we going?野良，去哪里？

NoraWhy, to safety, of course.当然是救你出水火啊，教授。

NoraPlaying volleyball makes you all sweaty and sandy. Since you hardly ever get any vacation time, wouldn't you rather spend it lounging with me on the beach?打排球又是汗水又是尘土。这可是教授难得的休假，跟我们沙滩上一起悠闲度日不是更好？

NoraJust imagine yourself basking in the sun and chatting leisurely with your friends against the quiet sounds of the wind and the waves. Or perhaps, picking up a conch and playing a one-of-a-kind summer melody...阳光下，伴着海浪清风与友人们畅意闲聊。用随手捡起的海螺吹响夏天独一无二的韵律……

ProfessorThat sure sounds good.听起来是不错。

NoraI know, right? That's how normal people spend their vacation. In fact, some of my fellow slobs... I mean, like-minded compatriots are slacking off... I mean, preserving their stamina with me right now.对吧，思维正常的人都会这么度假。有几个志趣相投的朋友跟我一起组成了摆烂……咳咳，养精蓄锐组。

NoraCome, I'll take you to meet them.来，带你认识一下。

Nora appears to have popped into existence from parts unknown, and as I follow her, several other familiar faces make their entrance one after the other.跟随着不知从何处冒出来的野良，几个熟悉的面孔也接二连三地冒了出来。

AngelaThis is Team Stamina Preservation Member No. 1, Angela~ If you want, you can lie down beside me, and I'll tell you a story.养精蓄锐组1号成员安吉拉~只要教授愿意，可以一直躺在我身边，让我来为您讲故事。

AngelaOf course, if you're feeling bored, you can go with Chanzhi~当然，要是感觉无聊，也可以和小缠枝一起……

ChanzhiOooh, shells! Come collect shells with me! Member No. 2 Chanzhi will give you rest and no distress~贝壳贝壳！和我一起捡贝壳吧教授。2号缠枝不缠人，一定不会让教授疲惫的哦~

NanakaThe summer sun's really bright, so make sure to take care of your skin, everyone~ A perfect idol needs to keep her skin pale and clear at all times; help apply some sunscreen on us, Professor!这么猛烈的阳光，大家要注意保养哦~完美偶像必须时刻保持肌肤白皙光滑。教授，来帮我们几个擦防晒霜吧！

NoraAnd of course, there's me, Professor. Being fully certified with a P.H.D. (Procrastinator of the Highest Degree) in slacking off, I won't allow any work to interfere with your vacation. Any expenditure of energy exceeding the operand value of a single baozi is strictly forbidden.当然还有我，教授。深谙偷懒绝学的我绝不会让任何工作搅乱您的假期，体力消耗多于一个包子算量的，统统拒绝。

AngelaBeing able to listen to stories while having sunscreen applied sounds so nice~一边擦防晒霜一边开故事会，好惬意~

ChanzhiOh no, I think my arms are already sunburnt, Professor... So stay here and help us.呜呜，好像手臂已经晒伤了呢，教授……留在这里帮帮我们吧。

Chanzhi gives me the most pitiful puppy eyes imaginable. Her pupils are wide and shiny, as though she's going to burst into tears at any time.缠枝可怜巴巴望向我，眼眶里晶莹闪烁，仿佛下一秒就会有泪珠掉出来。

NoraProfessor, we in Team Stamina Preservation are the best choice for you. Boldly ignore the harsh gazes of the world and chill with us instead.教授，我们养精蓄锐组才是您的不二选择。不要在意世俗目光，勇敢地跟我们走吧。

ProfessorAl... urgh.好……呃……

Just as I'm about to agree, I feel someone's gaze burning a hole in my back. I turn around and see Jiangyu, her cheeks puffed up in annoyance, and it seems like she's about to blow her lid.我刚想答应，就感受到了身后灼热的视线。回头看去，绛雨腮帮子鼓鼓，爆发在即。

JiangyuThere's an order to everything you know, and the Professor agreed to play beach volleyball with us first.凡事要分个先来后到，教授先答应我们了，沙滩排球！沙滩排球！

NoraOh my, you DO know that taking care of your skin is a huge pain once it gets damaged by the sun, right? That means we're a higher priority, so come apply our sunscreen, Professor.哎呀，素体皮肤被灼伤，养护起来很麻烦的，还是这边比较要紧，教授先给我们涂防晒霜吧。

JiangyuGo finish up the entirety of the script you owe your editor, you foot-dragger. Zangyin's been hounding you for them for several days now.拖稿作家还是快回去把拖欠的稿子补完吧，蔵音已经追了你好几天了。

NoraIt's called work-life balance, my dear! Professor, you must understand, you'll end up being wrung dry if you play volleyball with an energetic lass like her.这叫劳逸结合！教授，你可要想清楚啊，和这种精力过剩的小姑娘一起打排球，一定会被折腾得很惨哦。

JiangyuWhat do you mean wrung dry? It'll be fun! So which group will you be going with, Professor?怎么会是折腾，明明是享受！教授你说，究竟要和哪队一起？

野良&绛雨Go on, choose!选谁？！

Professor(If I'd known, I wouldn't have taken this vacation... It's actually more stressful than being at work...)（早知道就不休假了……还是工作的时候自在……）

Professor...I choose... I choose...……我选……我选……

???There's no need to even consider, because the Professor will definitely pick us.根本不必考虑她们的邀请，因为教授会选我们。

The engine of a jet ski roars as it approaches, and with it, a huge splash of frothy white foam. Three white-haired girls emerge from it.水上摩托轰鸣而至，掀起淋漓巨浪。三位白发少女从浪色后走出。

ClukayDo you truly think the Professor is so shallow?难道在你们的印象中教授那么肤浅吗？

ClukayThey're definitely not the kind of person who would eagerly ditch all their responsibilities just to slack off and watch Dolls bounce around in their swimsuits.绝对不是那种为了偷懒休息看泳装，就迫不及待卸下一切重担选择休假的人。

ClukayThe Professor is here because there is something here that they can't find anywhere else.教授来海边是因为这里有着其他区域难以企及的东西。

CentaureissiTruly, it is Master's way, to be diligent and serious at all times.无论何时都秉持着谨慎认真的态度，这的确是长官的作风。

JiangyuThen the Professor came to the seaside to...那教授来海边是为了……

EvelynNaturally, they're here to assess the Oasis' marine biome and operand distribution anomalies on the outskirts of the sector.当然是为了考察绿洲海洋生态建设，调查扇区边界区域算量分布异常的原因。

众人...……………………

BanxsyFor the love of... Evelyn, if you have to pull something out of your ass, could you at least make it sound plausible?……拜托伊芙琳，找借口也要编个像样点的啊。

ProfessorWell, it's not that far-fetched; I just wanted to...没有那么离谱，我只是偶尔休个……

AngelaI see! Well done, Professor!原来如此！不愧是教授呢！

CentaureissiTruly, Master's vision is grand, and their ambitions are similarly lofty. They are not things we can comprehend.长官深谋远虑，高瞻远瞩。我们的确无法企及。

ClukayTo that end, we have gathered our forces and dispatched an elite team of Dolls clad in swimsuits, codenamed "Ocean Dancer", in order to better facilitate your plans.为了配合你的行动计划，我们厉兵秣马，整合出了最强大的泳装特工队，代号“随波逐流”。

EvelynTeam Ocean Dancer No. 1, Evelyn, in charge of finding and removing all potential violent threats. Attempted assassinations with AR-style rifles within 140 meters will not be allowed on my watch.随波逐流组1号伊芙琳，将全权负责排查潜在暴力威胁，绝对不会让200米内被AR步枪射击之类的事件重演。

ClukayI, on the other hand, will stay close to you and ensure your safety by performing immediate first aid for hazards including (but not limited to) drowning, fractures, stabbings, and the like. As for Banxsy...我则会贴身保护你的安全，遇到如溺水、骨折、刺杀等情况第一时间对你进行营救。至于坂口希……

BanxsyOh, I'm just in it for the art.哦，我负责捕捉艺术。

ProfessorThat's a pretty vague job description.好敷衍的职能。

BanxsyThat's where you're wrong, Professor. A complete team needs its elites and its everymen. My existence is to ensure the well-roundedness of "Team Ocean Dancer".这你就不懂了，教授。一个完整的团队总要有人负重前行，也总要有人甘于平凡。我的存在是为了验证“随波逐流组”的完整性。

ClukayCut the crap. Professor, do not forget your initial objective. We have arranged an ideal patrol route for you along the coast, so please take your surfboard and head out with us.废话不多说，教授，不要忘记你出发时的目标。我们已经为你安排了绝佳的海上巡逻路线，请拿上冲浪板，和我们一起行动吧。

ProfessorWait, so we're surfing? Maybe that's not too...原来是要冲浪吗？也不是不可……

CentaureissiI object. Certainly, exercise is essential for the sake of your health, but surfing is too dangerous. I forbid it.我不同意。为了长官的身体考虑，必要的运动确实不能少。但冲浪不行，太危险了。

ClukayAre you doubting my skills? The Professor will not be harmed in any way so long as I am by their side.你是在质疑我的实力吗？跟我在一起教授不可能有危险。

CentaureissiAbandon your perfectionism, Clukay. I would rather Master be healthy and safe at all times.放弃你的完美主义，可露凯。我更希望长官每时每刻都平安健康。

BanxsyThere, there, Clukay, let's not quibble about safety issues. Don't forget that we have an overwhelming advantage—check out our aesthetically pleasing swimsuits!好啦好啦可露凯，还是别纠结于安全问题了。别忘了我们的压倒性优势——看这富有美感的泳装！

BanxsyHow do you like them, Professor? Can you feel the appeal of art yet? Come with us and search for beauty on the waves.如何，教授，有没有感受到艺术的魅力？还是和我们一起来海浪上追寻艺术吧。

JiangyuH-Hey, we have swimsuits too! In fact, it's time for us to show off our battle outfits! Undine—我、我们也有泳装！我们队的战服这个时候才要亮相呢！温蒂妮——

Undine, who has been watching all this from the side, drops what she's holding and rushes over upon hearing Jiangyu call out to her.在不远处默默注视着一切的温蒂妮听到绛雨的呼唤，立刻放下手里的活儿赶过来。

UndineComing, coming, I was just tending to customers at Riko's convenience store.来了来了，刚刚在理子杂货摊帮忙招待客人。

As the people on the volleyball team assemble, Jiangyu closes her eyes smugly and laughs out loud.眼见沙滩排球队人员到齐，绛雨闭眼露出得意的神情，大笑不止。

JiangyuMwahaha! How are you guys even going to fight for the Professor with me when you can't even coordinate your outfits? We are—哈哈哈！连队服风格都无法统一的你们，拿什么和我们抢教授。我们可是——

众人The incarnations of cute and sexy— Team Summer Bunny Party!可爱与性感的化身——瑰夏兔兔派对组！

CentaureissiW-Welcome to... to the Bunny Party... Master...欢、欢迎来到……兔兔派对……长官……

UndinePlease, don't hold back, enjoy as you wish...请不要介意，随意享用……

The two of them valiantly manage to stammer out those embarrassing lines while their faces turn red enough that they look like they could bleed from their pores.两位人形一字一顿努力说完了羞耻台词，脸红得几乎能滴出血来。

JiangyuHow about it, Professor? Are you so stunned by our projections that you've no words left? I'm pretty sure you know which team to pick, even without me saying a thing.怎么样教授？有没有被我们的投影震撼到？现在不用我说你也知道要选哪一组了吧。

Jiangyu's words wake me from my stupor. I am now keenly aware of my situation— this has gone from two sides fighting over their prize to a three-way battle royale.绛雨一语点醒梦中人，此刻我清晰地认识到自己的处境——从两队争夺的目标，彻底变成了三队争抢的猎物。

NoraProfessor, don't be fooled by their fancy appearances. If you compromise now, you'll end up having a hard time later.教授，不要被那些花哨的外表所迷惑，现在妥协的话后面难受的就是自己了。

ClukayThe mission comes first. Please come with us and uphold your original intentions, Professor.使命第一，请务必和我们一起捍卫你的初心，教授。

三队成员Make your choice, Professor!做出你的选择吧！

The sunlight from behind the girls casts their faces into shadow, and I find myself taking a step back from this formless pressure.背光投下的阴影笼罩在脸上，三人无形的威压逼着我倒退几步。

ProfessorAhaha... Uh, g-guys... Calm down, everyone, I...啊哈哈……大、大家……大家可以先冷静一下，我……

??Oho? Looks like the crisis of the century has struck, oh rich and generous Professor~哦呀？！看来遭遇了本世纪最大的危机了啊，富有且慷慨的教授~

ProfessorRiko?! You too?!理子？！你也在？

理子Riko's nose for business will never miss a single chance to make money. All these people by the beach in the middle of summer is the perfect chance to invest, er, I mean, to do business.商业嗅觉敏锐的理子是不会错过任何一个赚钱机会的。盛夏海边这么多人，正是投机、啊不对，是做生意好时机。

理子Since you are currently on the edge of disaster, why not hire Riko to help you out of this jam you're in?教授此刻正处于危急存亡之际，要不要考虑委托理子我来帮您处理？

理子All you need is to pay a leeetle bit of money to escape this difficulty. Riko sincerely recommends the Woman Trouble Bugfix Set, which treats both the symptoms and the root cause. It will thoroughly eradicate the problem of you being too damn popular with the ladies...只要花一点点小钱就可以脱离困境。理子诚挚向教授推荐修罗场BUG修复套餐，治标又治本。从根本上根除您桃花太旺的问题……

理子As for how much it costs... Well, since we're old friends, I'll give you a 15% discount and only charge you 520'000 Di...#￥% Digg...售价的话……教授作为老熟人了，就给您打个85折，收您52万底……#￥%……底格……

Riko suddenly freezes up halfway and makes mechanical crackling noises. Her eyes instantly go dull and she promptly falls over backward.话到一半理子突然卡壳，机械音滋啦作响。她的目光瞬间呆滞，整个人直愣愣地向后倒去。

Thud!咚！

ProfessorR-Riko?!！理、理子？！

ProfessorDid she crash? Come on, Riko, wake up...宕机了？理子你醒醒啊……

CentaureissiHm, let me see... A thermal event? In other words...嗯，我看看……只是温度过高？也就是说……

NoraLooks like heatstroke to me. I mean, it's no wonder, just look at how much she's wearing on a summer day.中暑了啊，理子夏天还穿这么厚难怪会中暑。

ProfessorWell, we can't just leave her lying there. Let's bring her somewhere cool and shaded.这么在地上躺着也不行，一起把她扶到阴凉处吧。

Together, we carry her under a beach umbrella, where we pour a few sips of water into her mouth, apply cooling gel patches and stack three layers of ice cubes on her. Soon, Riko's frame temperature drops enough that she manages to reboot from her crash.几人把理子抬到遮阳伞下，喂了些水贴上消暑贴，冰块里里外外堆了三层。几分钟后素体温度下降，宕机的理子顺利重启。

理子Professor...教授……

She reaches out weakly to me from where she's lying on her beach chair.她躺在椅子上向我虚弱伸手。

理子I messed up... I can't believe that even I, Riko... would end up falling over at the very first hurdle.失策……没想到我理子……竟然也会有……马失前蹄的一天。

ProfessorYou had a case of heatstroke. We'll get some ice for you to cool you down.你中暑了，我们先拿冰块给你降温。

理子Ah... thank you... these ice cubes are free of charge, right...啊……谢谢……这些冰块是免费的吧……

Everyone around her nods eagerly. After looking around and taking in the sincere gazes of the people around her, she finally closes her eyes with a sense of peace.围观的众人点头如捣蒜，理子环视一周发现大家眼神真挚，终于安心地闭上眼睛。

理子Thank you for the free ice cubes... But I can't rest yet...谢谢你们的免费冰块……但现在我还不能休息……

CentaureissiTaking care of your health is your top priority right now.对你来说养好身体才是第一要务。

ProfessorWell, if it's really that urgent, why not let us handle it? I think we can handle it.如果真的很紧急的话，不妨把事情交给我们。我们应该能应付。

理子Can I, Professor... While I know you're the most trustworthy person on Magrasea... There are some things which even you can't handle.真的可以交给你吗，教授……虽然我知道你是全麦戈拉最靠谱的人，但是有一些事情……就算是你也做不到吧。

ProfessorTry me.你可以先说说。

理子Riko imported some stock so everyone could have a happy and relaxing beach vacation on this hot summer day, but they're still in the warehouse...理子我为了大家能在炎炎夏天收获一个美好舒心的海滨假日，特意从其他地方采购了一些商品，那些商品现在还在货栈……

理子I was going to ship them over and provide them to people who needed them at a reasonable price, but to think that this would befall me at such a crucial moment... (Sigh) Truly, the spirit is willing, but the flesh is parched and overheated...本来要把这些东西运过来，以合适的价格供应给需要它们的人，没想到竟然在这时候……唉，我这不争气的身体啊……

UndineA reasonable price? Are you talking about how you're selling popsicles for 3000 DGC...合适的价格？是指一个冰淇淋3000吗……

Jiangyu3000? That's more like daylight robbery, don't you think?3000？这是抢劫吧？

理子(Clears throat) Nonsense, that is but the invisible hand of the market at work. Not even Riko can subvert the link between supply and demand.咳咳，别乱说，我们这个是市场自发调节。理子也很难撼动供需关系。

理子Professor... I can't afford to pay the sky-high rent for my beach stall now... If I can't shift that stock...教授……现在的我已经无力支持海滩上高昂的摊位费，如果这些货物都砸在我手里……

理子I'm going to be bankrupt... (sob)我就要倾家荡产了……呜呜呜……

ProfessorEr... I...呃……这……

理子Please! I'm begging you, Professor!这是我一生一次的请求！

I can't look away from Riko's shiny, pleading eyes. It's a trick! These are fox—no, crocodile tears; they have to be.眼角晶莹的闪光太过显眼，完全让人无法忽视。不能相信啊！狐狸的眼泪，这一定是狐狸的眼泪。

理子Please help Riko move the stock to the stalls, and then sell it all off.请帮理子把货物运到摊位，再把它们一件不留地卖出去吧。

ProfessorAh, but I'm busy too, you know...啊，可是我也很忙，你知道……

理子We'll split the profits 40/60. I get 60.赚到的钱我们可以四六分，你四我六。

ProfessorBut I've been so tired lately, and this is the first time I've gone on vacation in...最近这么劳累，偶尔休假一次……

理子I'll give you 50% off the next operand trade.下次算量交易价格给你打五折。

ProfessorDeal!就这么说定了！

理子I'll be counting on you, Professor. I'll send the location of the merch and the sales info to your terminal. As for how you'll shift the items, that's up to you and the others, Professor.那就拜托教授了。我会把取货地点和售卖价格信息发送到教授终端。至于怎么把东西卖出去，就要看教授和大家的手段了。

理子I can rest in peace now. Here's looking forward to your results~我就安心休息了。期待你们的成果哟~

And with that, the fox goes "thunk" onto the beach chair and falls sound asleep.最后一个字说完，这只狐狸“噗通”倒在躺椅上陷入昏睡。

UndineProfessor, are you really going to help this fox run her stall while you're on holiday? Having to move and sell stuff is... pretty tiring.教授，难得假日你真要帮理子打理杂货摊吗？又是运输又是售卖……好忙啊。

ProfessorIt's fine. Just being at the beach with everyone is quite refreshing already. And besides, moving merch and making sales is LESS tiring than having everyone fight over me...没事，来海边和大家一起就很轻松愉悦了。而且比起被大家抢夺的身心俱疲，还是运货售卖的身体劳累好一些……

JiangyuDoes that mean... you won't have time to play with us, Professor?!也就是说……教授没时间和我们一起玩了吗？！

The cheerful mood in the air instantly turns sullen. The dolls shuffle around uncomfortably, disappointment writ large on their faces.气氛活跃的海滩转眼被低气压盘踞。人形们排排站，各个脸上写满失落。

ProfessorIt's okay, don't be sad, you can each...没关系，大家也不用如此失落，还是可以各自……

EvelynYes, we can help the Professor.嗯，我们可以帮教授啊。

ProfessorHuh?诶？

CentaureissiEvelyn's right. If we can save the Professor from their labors, the problem will be easily solved.伊芙琳说的没错。只要我们把长官从繁重的任务中解救出来，困难就会迎刃而解了。

ClukayAccording to Riko, our assignment will be to move items from a storage point to a sales point, and then sell them.按照理子的说法，所谓的任务应该就是从某个地方把货物运到售卖地点，然后再把货物卖出。

UndineIt doesn't seem too complicated. I'm sure that with all of us handling transport and sales for the Professor, we'll be done with this soon.听起来也不复杂。我们这么多人一起替教授运货售卖，想必很快就可以结束。

ClukayStill, we haven't solved the original problem. Who will the Professor spend the day with once the sales are finished?可先前的问题依旧没有解决，货物售卖结束后，教授要和哪个队一起度过这一天呢？

理子Obviously the Professor will go with the team that made the most money.当然是哪个队赚钱多，教授就归哪个队了。

ProfessorAh, Riko? Have you come back to life?啊，理子你复活了？

理子I was summoned by the power of money. (clears throat) Your wealthy and generous Professor will naturally accompany the most skilled among you.我感受到了金钱的召唤。咳咳……人形们哦，富有且慷慨的教授必然要和有实力的队伍在一起。

理子So please use your tremendous mercantile skills and win the Professor's approval.请运用你们强大的商业头脑，赢得教授的青睐吧。

Professor(I can smell a plot in there somewhere... Riko's making them compete against each other to make more money in the end.)（隐隐嗅了一丝阴谋的味道……理子让她们相互竞争，只是为了最后赚更多的钱啊。）

Professor(Surely this is so obvious that I don't need to point it out, right? Everyone's going to see right through this, right?)（这么明显，即便不用我点破，大家也都应该看出来了。）

ClukayIt's settled, then.那就这么决定了。

ProfessorEhhh? Clukay...诶？！可露凯……

NoraVery well. For the Professor's sake, we at Team Slack... I mean, Team Stamina Preservation will begrudgingly accept this proposal. I guess I can consider it something like gathering material...好吧，为了教授，我们摆烂……养精蓄锐组，就勉强同意这个方案吧。就当取材了……

JiangyuHmph! Team Summer Bunny Party will never lose!哼，我们瑰夏兔兔派对组当然不会输！

NoraUtter nonsense. Some people can cling to the Professor's sleeve and cry in the corner.虚张声势，某些人就抱着教授的衬衫躲到角落里哭吧。

At some point, things have gotten heated up again.不知不觉，今天的海风又变得喧嚣了。

I shake my head and sigh. Looking back, I see a glass of orange juice before me. Centaureissi smiles as she offers up a full cup of citrine-colored goodness.我摇头叹气。回眸一杯柳橙汁赫然停在面前，桑朵莱希递上满杯橙黄流光，对我微笑。

CentaureissiPlease have a good rest, Professor. We'll be able to play volleyball once we return.长官，请您好好休息，等我们回来之后，就可以一起打排球了。

Refreshing Coolness 沁凉

At the Oasis' seaside stall.绿洲海滩。

As I finally manage to sit up after much effort, Clukay promptly pushes me back down onto my reclined beach chair, where there are piles of Nora's light novels (mixed with Angela's fairytale books) at hand and my terminal is looping Nanaka's new singles (accompanied by backing tracks from Undine's band). Centaureissi even left some cake and drinks for me before she left.好不容易坐起来，可露凯硬生生把我按回躺椅。堆积成山的野良小说摆在手边，安吉拉的童话日志混杂其中，终端循环播放七花的新专辑还有温蒂妮的仪仗乐。桑朵莱希甚至在临走前为我备好了蛋糕和冷饮……

UndineThat way, you won't feel lonely when we aren't around to keep you company.这样即便没有我们陪伴，教授也不会感到寂寞了吧。

JiangyuProfessor~ Please enjoy our love until we come back!教授~在我们回来之前，请好好享受我们的爱意！

There's no way I can enjoy all this weighty "love" in just one day of vacation.单单一天休假要享受完这些沉甸甸的“爱”绝无可能。

The girls gradually fade into the distance. I poke my head out of the pile of books like a curious mole, still feeling uneasy even after all this time trying to calm myself down.少女们的背影渐行渐远。我像只鼹鼠从书堆里探出头，冷静了半天还是没办法平复不安感。

ProfessorI reminded them to be careful, but I just can't relax...虽然也有叮嘱过她们，但始终还是放不下心……

ProfessorSurely nothing can go wrong if they're just moving stock and selling it, right? They won't end up fighting over stuff, will they?只是运货售卖而已，应该不会出什么问题吧？不会因为争夺货物之类的原因打起来吧……

Riko is lying down nearby. Upon hearing me mutter to myself, she rolls her eyes.躺在不远处的理子听我不停碎碎念，抬起眼皮翻了个白眼。

理子You know, you can just go over and take a look if you're that worried.真不放心的话跟去看看不就行了。

ProfessorHehe, wouldn't that make me something like a helicopter parent who sends their child out on an errand but ends up worrying so much about them that they end up following the poor kid like a stalker?呵呵，那不就是爱操心的父母让孩子出去跑腿，结果自己放心不下，还要像个跟踪狂一样偷偷摸摸跟在孩子身后吗？

理子You mean you're not, Professor?教授不一直都是这样吗？

Dammit, she got me! Unable to refute her, I hang my head in defeat as Chanzhi's shell necklace tinkles from around my neck.一针见血，我竟无法反驳！无力地垂下头，脖子上被缠枝挂上的贝壳相连叮当作响。

ProfessorOh forget it, I'd better go look.算了，还是去看看吧。

ProfessorI wonder when I will become the naggy parent hated by the "kids"... Oh yeah, lend me your minivan, Riko.不知不觉就成了啰啰嗦嗦，被“孩子们”嫌弃的家长角色了……对了，理子你的车借我。

理子The one I use for moving stock? Well, you're out of luck; the safety belts are all torn, the brakes are shot, it's out of gas, and what passes for a "steering wheel" is just a wrench clamped to the steering column...要去取货的货栈吗？真不凑巧啊，最近我的车安全带断了，车门松了，油也没了，甚至连方向盘也生锈了……

Professor...I'll ride a bike, then.……那我还是骑车吧。

At the seaside warehouse, Team Ocean Dancer uses their jet ski to arrive at the pickup point first.海滨货栈基地，随波逐流组凭借海上摩托的速度优势率先赶到了取货地点。

EvelynThe people from the other groups are far behind us. Looks like Team Ocean Dancer will be able to finish this quickly.其他组的人已经被我们远远甩在身后了，这样看来我们“随波逐流”组能速战速决。

BanxsyIf we obtain the cargo first, the others won't have anything left to sell and we'll definitely be top in sales.只要率先拿下这些货物，让其他组根本无货可卖，交易额第一绝对是我们的了。

BanxsyI'll head in and check the interior. Clukay, follow me in a bit.我先进去探查情况，可露凯你们稍后跟上。

The girl opens the door and enters the warehouse. A dazzling variety of merchandise lines its shelves. Banxsy glances around inside, then communicates the situation to her teammates.少女率先打开门冲入货栈。琳琅满目的商品散放在基地各个方位，坂口希探头扫视整个货栈后与同伴沟通情况。

BanxsyStock condition is normal. I'm not seeing any signs of abnormal agent activity, so now should be the best time to move it.货物状态正常。尚未侦测到其他异常智能体痕迹，目前应该是最佳运输时机。

EvelynRoger that. Everyone, prepare to move out!收到，准备出击！

Evelyn signals to Clukay, who is on high alert, and the water gun-armed girl quickly charges forward.伊芙琳冲高度戒备的可露凯做了个手势，手持喷射水枪的少女迅速向前突进。

ClukayBe careful with your water guns. Although everything is wrapped up, we shouldn't try to drench anything so it doesn't affect salability.大家使用水枪的时候务必小心。虽然货物外都有防护包装，但考虑到后续的售卖品相，尽量不要淋湿货物。

EvelynRoger that!嗯，知道了！

The three of them have stern faces as they move quickly while hiding their tracks. The warehouse is lined with all kinds of cargo, the extent of which a glance could not encompass.三人表情严肃，一边快速移动一边有意隐藏自己的行踪。仓库里面摆满了各种各样的商品，一眼扫不到头。

Clukay...This is annoying. There's more stuff here than expected.……看来有点棘手，货物比预想的还要多啊。

BanxsyThe three of us might not be enough to shift it all.光凭我们三个恐怕人手不够。

??Hehe, in that case... Allow me to help share your burden!嘿嘿，既然如此……那就让我们来替你们分担！

A twin-tailed bunnygirl descends from above, blocking the silver-haired Dolls' line of sight.双马尾兔女郎从天而降，挡住了银发人形的视线。

ClukayJiangyu?! When did you?绛雨？！你什么时候……

CentaureissiWe at Team Summer Bunny Party might not have a vehicle like you, but we planned our route before heading out and saved plenty of time.我们瑰夏兔兔派对组虽然没有那么快的交通工具，但在行动之前规划好了路线，最大地节省了时间。

UndineYour speed is no longer a tactical advantage.你们的速度已经不足以构成作战优势了。

JiangyuIn the end, you need manpower to move stuff. There's no way Team Ocean Dancer can compete with us with just the three of you!运货还是要看人手。你们随波逐流组只有三个人，怎么和我们斗！

ClukayWait, doesn't Team Summer Bunny Party only have three people too?你们瑰夏兔兔派对不也只有三个人吗？

UndineNope.不对。

UndineWe have 4 more aides to help us out.我们还有4台僚机。

僚机们Deetdeetbeepbeep—嘀嘀哔哔——

ClukayYou need experience in a real battle, not fancy moves and pointless showmanship. Banxsy, Evelyn!实战要靠经验，可不是花架子和虚张声势。坂口希、伊芙琳！

The two Dolls emerge from the shadows and raise their weapons behind Clukay, glaring at the bunnies before them.两位人形从阴影中走出来，站在可露凯身后架起武器，虎视眈眈地盯着眼前的兔子们。

CentaureissiThen let us settle this!那就来决一胜负吧！

The maid's gaze is as sharp as a razor as she points her gun at Clukay, who fades into a blur as three jets of water sail through the space where she had been a moment ago.女仆目光锐利，率先将枪口对准可露凯。银发人形少女见状闪身，三股水流擦身而过。

ClukayPathetic.雕虫小技。

CentaureissiYou have quick reactions. But this...反应很快。但接下来的这招……

The blonde maid is about to reload, but then she feels someone tugging on her.金发女仆正打算补枪，却感到自己的动作受到了牵制。

CentaureissiJiangyu, this is a critical moment in our showdown.绛雨，现在是对决的关键时刻。

CentaureissiPlease do not obstruct me by tugging on my clothing. There is no looking back for a warrior.请不要拉住我的衣摆阻拦我，战士是没有回头一说的。

JiangyuHuh? But I'm not stopping you or anything.诶？我没有阻拦你啊。

Jiangyu had been by her side just a moment ago, but now she's got a battle of her own to contend with in another part of the battlefield. She blinks innocently at Centaureissi over a box of cargo that serves as cover.刚才还在身边的绛雨不知何时已经开辟了另一片战场，依靠货物作为掩体的她向桑朵莱希无辜地眨了眨眼睛。

CentaureissiWait a minute, if you're not by my side, then what's pulling on my outfit?等等，你不在我身边的话，扯住我衣摆的是……

Centaureissi glances behind and sees an arrogant green lifeform clinging to her hems. It waves its other pincer at her, as if to say hello.桑朵莱希向侧后方看去。嚣张的青色生物将一只钳子夹住了衣摆，同时向她挥了挥剩余的另一只钳子，像是打了个招呼。

UndineTo think this place even has crabs. The Oasis' simulation of the marine biome is truly realistic.居然连螃蟹也有，绿洲的海洋生态模拟好真实啊。

JiangyuWell, at least it's doing you the favor of announcing itself. Looks like this is quite the honorable crab.这是先礼后兵啊，这只螃蟹还蛮讲武德的。

CentaureissiN-Never mind that. Does anyone know how to deal with crabs...先、先别说这些了。有谁知道怎么应对螃蟹吗……

Undine and Jiangyu exchange gazes and then shake their heads to indicate their inability to help. Naturally, their opponents are still pressing the attack.温蒂妮和绛雨互相对视，摇头表示爱莫能助。而她们的对手当然不会任由战斗这样暂停下去。

ClukayHas your main attacker been locked down so easily? We won't pass up this chance!你们的主力就这么被封锁了吗？我们可不会放过这个好机会！

Several squirts of water fly through the air, forcing them apart. Undine and Jiangyu are occupied with their opponents and Centaureissi is forced to sit down on a nearby table by the crab.几道水流划过，彻底隔开了战场，温蒂妮和绛雨各自应对着敌人，桑朵莱希只能被螃蟹逼得坐在了桌子上。

EvelynThis is like a hunter catching two hares at once. Victory is ours.趁这个机会逐一击破另两只兔子，我们就可以轻松拿下胜利了。

CentaureissiJiangyu! Undine! I'll help...绛雨、温蒂妮！我来帮……

Centaureissi...Why is this crab so persistent?!……为、为什么螃蟹紧追我不放啊！！

As I arrive fashionably late on my little scooter, I can hear Centaureissi yelling from a long way off. I jump off the bike and run into the warehouse within moments.骑着小摩托姗姗来迟的我，大老远就听到了桑朵莱希的叫声。索性把车丢在一旁，三步并作两步冲进货栈。

ProfessorWhat on earth...发生什么……

EvelynTaste my water balloons!来尝尝水气球的威力！

Now that the enemy's main attacker has been neutralized, Evelyn rampages even more wildly, switching her water gun for thrown water balloons. As several of them fly toward Jiangyu, her plan to retreat is stymied by my sudden entrance.对方主力被封锁后，伊芙琳更加肆无忌惮，把水枪换为水气球轮番投掷。几个水球朝目标绛雨飞去，原本要后退撤离的绛雨被我的突然闯入打乱了计划。

Professor...Is going... Hng! Jiangyu...……事啊……唔！绛雨……

JiangyuWha? Professor?诶？教授？！

Sploosh—啪叽——

JiangyuLook out, Professor!教授小心！！

Jiangyu and I are drenched by a torrential downpour.铺天盖地的水流飞溅而下，绛雨和我全身湿透。

JiangyuUuurgh... I got hit... I guess I'm out.呜……被击中了……出局。

Unable to see because of all the water streaming down her face and obscuring her eyes, Jiangyu can only wring out her bunny ears.视线被水流遮挡，绛雨双眼迷蒙，扭了扭滴水的兔耳。

JiangyuWhat are you doing here, Professor?教授你怎么来了？

EvelynI'm sorry, Professor. I didn't expect you to show up all of a sudden.对不起，教授。我没想到你会突然出现。

Team Ocean Dancer runs up to apologize. Their leader, Clukay, seems especially nervous.赶过来的随波逐流组向我道歉。身为组长的可露凯尤为紧张。

She quickly pats my body down over, as though she's terrified she'll find a bullet hole in me or something.她在我全身上下摸索检查，生怕我身上多出个洞来。

ProfessorHold it, hold it, Clukay, what are you...停停停，可露凯你在干什么……

ClukayYou got hit in the head by three water balloons. Are you sure you're okay?三个水球都砸到你脑袋上了，应该不会有事吧？

Her finger is cool as she swipes my soaked hair aside to examine my forehead. After checking repeatedly, she breathes a sigh of relief.少女的指尖冰冰凉，掀开刘海查看我额头的情况，反复确认后才舒了一口气。

ClukayRight, you don't need bandaging. Don't be so reckless in the future, alright? If this happened on the battlefield... Never mind, pretend I never said anything.嗯，不需要包扎。以后不要这么乱来，万一在战场上也这样……算了，当我没说。

ClukaySpeaking of which, what are you doing here? I'm pretty sure we stashed you away safely before we left. Were Miss Nora's books so boring you decided to come here to look for some excitement?话说你怎么会出现在这里？明明临走之前都把你安顿好了，莫非是野良的小说太无聊让你必须找点刺激？

ProfessorAh, I heard Centaureissi yelling while I was passing by. I came here to look because I was curious.啊，路过的时候听到桑朵莱希的叫声。好奇之下就进来看看了。

ClukayDon't worry, she's fine. She was just frightened into sitting down on the table by a crab.放心，她没事，只是被螃蟹吓得暂时封印在桌子上了。

BanxsyMeh, the way I see it, the Professor went full mother-hen mode and snuck in here because they were worried about us.我猜教授是老妈子病犯了，不放心才溜进来的吧。

BanxsyLooks like I nailed it.看来说对了。

ClukayThis battle concerns your future, so naturally we had to be serious about it! If you wish to watch, then hide behind me. I'll protect you.这场战斗事关你的未来，我们必须拿出真本事！如果要观战就躲在我身后，我来保护你。

JiangyuThat should be our line!这话应该由我们来说！

ClukayOi, Jiangyu! You're dead, you don't get to talk.喂，绛雨！你已经阵亡了，不能说话。

JiangyuBut what about my last words... (Grumbles)可是我还有遗言……呜呜……

CentaureissiCurse you, Clukay, I won't let you have Master so easily!可露凯你这家伙，我绝不会就这样把长官交给你的！

After seeing the crab finally crawl away, Centaureissi leaps off the table and snatches me away from Clukay. Seeing this, Clukay seizes the opportunity to pepper Team Bunnygirl with shots. Undine is forced to fight back by herself, but she is no match for Clukay's ferocious firepower.看螃蟹终于爬远，桑朵莱希从桌上一跃而下，将我从可露凯身边抢拽过来。可露凯见状抓住时机连续向兔女郎成员们射击数枪，温蒂妮只身抵抗，却依旧不敌对方迅猛火力。

CentaureissiFall back! Undine, fall back!撤退！温蒂妮先撤退！

At her teammate's behest, the white-haired girl prepares to withdraw behind cover with her four aides. However, one of them trips on a fallen piece of merchandise and falls to the ground.在队友的劝说下计划撤离的白发少女，带着四台僚机准备退到掩体后。不料意外情况发生，其中一名僚机被散乱的货物绊倒重重摔在地上。

UndineScherzando—斯卡尔——

斯卡尔Deet—嘀——

Ka-clack!咔哒！

Before the pain of falling recedes, there is a water gun pressed against Scherzando's forehead.疼痛还未消退，水枪已经对准斯卡尔的额头。

EvelynYou have three seconds to say your last words.给你三秒，留下你的遗言。

With tears in her eyes, Scherzando looks at Undine and her friends. Then, she closes her eyes and opens her arms, as though to embrace her fate.斯卡尔泪眼汪汪看向温蒂妮和其他伙伴。认命般闭上双眼，张开双臂坚定地说道。

斯卡尔Deetdeet, beepbeepbeepbeep...嘀嘀，哔哔哔哔……

EvelynAnd now, be on your way.那我就送你一程。

Sploosh—噗嗤——

UndineNooooo—不——

A mournful wail echoes through the warehouse as despair crushes the hearts of mortals like a wave obliterating a sandcastle. Centaureissi struggles to pull Undine back before she can rush out.悲伤的呼唤响彻仓库，绝望犹如海浪般将人的意志冲击溃散。桑朵莱希拉住拼命想冲去前线的温蒂妮。

CentaureissiNo, Undine, don't go! If you rush out and get hit, Scherzando's sacrifice will have been in vain.温蒂妮！不要去！如果这个时候你冲出去中了埋伏，斯卡尔的牺牲就白费了！

CentaureissiDon't forget her last words!别忘了！她还有遗言留给你！

Evelyn raises her water gun and blows away the nonexistent smoke from its muzzle before looking down at the fallen Scherzando in satisfaction.伊芙琳举起水枪，对着枪口吹了吹不存在的烟气，看着倒在地上的斯卡尔心满意足。

EvelynSurrender. The Professor and the cargo are ours by right of conquest.认命吧，教授和货物都会是我们的战利品。

Undine struggles free of Centaureissi's grip and rushes up, gritting her teeth as she hurls three water balloons at Evelyn, who nimbly dodges each one.温蒂妮挣脱桑朵莱希的手臂咬牙冲锋上前，三个水球袭向伊芙琳。伊芙琳敏捷闪身，逐一躲过攻击。

UndineScherzando... You and Jiangyu won't have died in vain...斯卡尔……我不会让绛雨和斯卡尔白白牺牲的……

ProfessorI thought this was just a water fight, but it looks like everyone's really gotten into this. Oh yeah, what did Scherzando say at the end?原本以为只是水枪战，没想到大家这么认真。对了，斯卡尔最后说了什么啊？

CentaureissiIn TV shows and movies, people usually say something really cool before they die. I guess it was something along the lines of "don't you ever stop" or something.影视剧里牺牲前都会说一些很酷的台词。我想应该是“不要停下来啊”之类的。

UndineN-No, it wasn't!不，不是的！

Undine's eyes are ablaze with a heat bursting from her heart.温蒂妮心中有火，眼中有光。

UndineShe said...她说的是……

Sorrow finds no purchase in her determination, and her frail shoulders have taken on the will of her comrades as she carries on down the path they walked.悲痛无法撼动她的决心，柔弱的身躯即将肩负同伴的希望继续走下去。

UndineShe said...她说的是……

Everyone is focused on Undine, ears pricked up to listen to Scherzando's last words.所有人屏息凝神，竖起耳朵聆听温蒂妮传达斯卡尔的遗愿。

UndineShe said...她说的是……

UndineRaise my hourly wage for part-timing by 20 Diggcoins.打工时薪再涨20底格币吧。

UndineShe wanted an extra 20 Diggcoins for working part-time... It's all my fault for not finding a better-paying job...打工时薪再涨20底格币吧……都怪我，没能找到一份合适的高薪工作呜呜……

Undine sniffles sadly. I shake my head in exasperation and look around the surrounding shelves. For some reason, something feels wrong here.温蒂妮悲伤啜泣。我无奈摇摇头，余光瞟到周围的货架，莫名感受到违和。

ProfessorHuh? That's strange...诶？奇怪……

UndineWhat's the matter, Professor?怎么了 ，教授？

ProfessorWasn't there a cake here before this? The kind with lots of layers?之前……这里是不是有个蛋糕啊，层层叠叠的那种。

CentaureissiYes, I remember it.嗯，我有印象。

ProfessorIsn't it... gone?!好像……消失了？！

Upon hearing my reminder, everyone glances around and realizes a lot of things have vanished.经我提醒，大家扫视周围一圈发现周围少了许多东西。

JiangyuHey! The drinks here are missing! The fruit too!啊！这边的酒也不见了！还有水果！！

ProfessorClose to half the cargo is gone...差不多丢了将近一半的货物……

CentaureissiThis is bad... Team Ocean Dancer, let's call a ceasefire. We need to stand together right now.情况不妙……随波逐流组我们停战吧，现在大家应该站在同一条战线。

CentaureissiIf we don't find the missing items, all this will have been for nothing.不把失踪的货物找回来，最后估计都要百忙一场了。

ClukayThere are missing items?失踪？

JiangyuYeah, lots of the stuff here is gone.是啊，这里的东西少了好多啊。

Clukay looks around; as expected, what she sees is much different from what she remembers. However, her confusion fades as she notices a black swimsuit appearing out of nowhere!可露凯环视周围，果不其然周围的布景和之前有很大差别。不过疑惑很快就被打消了，空气中凭空出现了一件黑色泳衣！

The silver-haired girl reacts swiftly, raising her water gun and discharging it at the black fabric that fades in and out of view.银发少女反应果断，提起水枪射向若隐若现的黑色布料。

Sploosh—噗嗤——

??Aiiieeeeee!! That's cold!哎呀！！好凉！！！

That voice is very familiar...这声音再熟悉不过……

JiangyuNora?!野良？！

Nora's heart sinks. She had been hoping to escape while everyone was stunned, but she did not expect Jiangyu to pull her optical camouflage cape right off her.光学迷彩后的野良心咯噔一沉。本来想趁着大家愣神儿的功夫赶紧逃走，不料披在身上的光学迷彩却被绛雨当机立断地拽了下来。

NoraAhhhh! Nooooo!啊！！别！！

Nora is fully exposed in front of everyone. She exchanges looks with everyone while still holding a basket of fruits.抱着一篮水果的野良完整暴露在众人面前，跟所有人大眼瞪小眼。

Nora...Hehe... Nice weather we're having...……嘿嘿……今天天气不错哦……

Jeweled Shell 贝阙

Dear Editor: This is Nora, and it is with a heavy heart that I must relay this unfortunate news to you. As a writer, it was never my intention to be caught up in an intense gun battle for the sake of seizing the Professor or to be surrounded, shot, and be renamed to No-"I've got to delay it even though I don't want to delay it"-ra. While my submission is now late, my mind remains unchanged. I remain a diligent, committed writer who will follow through with her manuscripts in order to fulfill her duties to her reading audience. No matter what I produce, there can be only one outcome...尊敬的编辑：

Dear Editor: This is Nora, and it is with a heavy heart that I must relay this unfortunate news to you. As a writer, it was never my intention to be caught up in an intense gun battle for the sake of seizing the Professor or to be surrounded, shot, and be renamed to No-"I've got to delay it even though I don't want to delay it"-ra. While my submission is now late, my mind remains unchanged. I remain a diligent, committed writer who will follow through with her manuscripts in order to fulfill her duties to her reading audience. No matter what I produce, there can be only one outcome...我是野良，在此不得不告知您一个不幸的消息。身为撰稿人，我未曾想被卷入了一场争夺教授的激烈枪战，被两队人马包围，身体中弹。变成了野·不想拖稿也不得不拖稿·良，虽然变成了拖稿状态，但我的头脑没变。依旧是一个为读者负责，挖坑必填的作者。不管什么作品，结果只有一个……

Sploosh!吧唧！

A water balloon slams down on Nora's notebook, disintegrating the neat letters into smears of ink. The black-haired Doll angrily puts it down and begins shooting back with her water gun.一枚水气球拍在野良的本子上，隽秀的毛笔字晕染开来。黑发人形怒火中烧放下手里的本子，提枪反击。

NoraYou've gone too far!欺人太甚！

AngelaNora, what were you doing just now?! We can't hold out much longer! Oh dear... my leg got splashed.小野良你刚刚在忙什么？！我们要撑不住了！哎呀……腿被水流擦到了。

NoraI was planning to leave a clue behind for my editor in order to reveal the truth, but they wouldn't even give me time to write down my last will and testament!原本想留下点线索让编辑还原真相，没想到她们竟然连写遗书的时间都不给留！

AngelaUgh... This is bad. If they catch us, we'll have to return everything we took.呜……情况不妙，如果被抓住，我们手头的货物就都得还回去了。

All the water guns they have are committed to the fight and all their water balloons have been thrown out. Nora can't help but feel a little glum as she realizes how low on ammo they are.手头的火力武器全部投入战斗，脚下的水球也一个个被丢出去。意识到自己的弹药已经所剩无几，野良情绪不免有些低落。

Just then, Nora sees a bottle of vodka by her foot, and she hatches a cunning plan...就在这时，她忽然看到自己脚边的一瓶伏特加。野良脑中生出一计。

ClukayNora! Cease this pointless resistance! Both of our teams have you surrounded; you have nowhere to run!野良！放弃无谓的抵抗！在我们两组的包围之下，你们已经逃不出去了。

EvelynSurrender now! Your beloved Professor is here, and they are watching you! You don't want to see them hurt, do you?投降吧！这里还有你敬爱的教授，在看着你啊。你也不想伤心吧。

JiangyuGo on, Professor, use your invincible Talk no Jutsu on her.教授，快使用你无敌的嘴炮。

Professor...Wait, am I a kidnapped family member from a crime drama now?……我的身份又变成了警匪片中绑架犯的家属了？

JiangyuIt's time to use your secret ultimate technique now, Professor. After hearing you, I'm sure Nora will be so moved that she'll tear up and promise to live her life correctly!是时候展现你真正的技术了教授。听了你的话，野良一定会感动得泪流满面，改过自新重新做人！

ClukayExactly, so here's the megaphone... Hng?没错。教授，扩音器就交给你……嗯？！

Pew—咻——

Nora was apparently waiting for Clukay to talk to me, because she proceeds to nail Clukay straight in the face with a stream of water. Caught off guard, Clukay gets some of it in her mouth.瞅准我和可露凯对话的时机，野良探身出来抬手几枪，直击可露凯面门。银发少女一时疏忽大意，让些许水流钻进了喉咙。

ClukayAck... Pbtthhh... What... is this...咳咳咳……咳咳……这是……什么……

ProfessorWait, is that alcohol I smell? Nora, did you?好浓烈的酒味……难道说野良你……

NoraThat's right, this is our counterattack. Your next opponent is not going to be us bookish Dolls from Team Stamina Preservation.没错，这就是我们的反击。接下来……你们要对付的对象就不是我们养精蓄锐组这些文弱的人形啦。

NoraInstead, it'll be a Disaster Level Dragon encounter! Hehehehe...而是龙级灾难！嘿嘿嘿嘿……

Everyone present falls silent. We know exactly what lies ahead of us. Meanwhile, Nora, the instigator of the incident has already fled with her acquisitions.在场每个人都陷入沉默，彼此对即将面对的困难心知肚明。点燃导火索的野良则跟安吉拉一起带着货物逃之夭夭。

Evelyn tops off her gun and stands in front of me with her riot shield. She has a grim look on her face.伊芙琳给水枪灌满水，拿出防爆盾挡在我前面，神情紧张。

EvelynLeave this place to us, Professor. You need to get out of here ASAP.教授这里交给我们，你尽快撤离。

ProfessorBut Clukay...可是可露凯她……

BanxsySince we can't be absolutely certain we can contain things here, we need to ensure your safety.在没有十足把握能够应付这场灾难前，起码首先要保证你的安全。

CentaureissiGo! Now!快走！

The inebriated Clukay suddenly raises her head, and a silent pressure plants its foot on my chest.醉酒的可露凯蓦然抬头，无声的压迫感让我胸口一窒。

ProfessorGot it!明白了！

The door to the warehouse slowly closes, and then a great clamor breaks out.货栈大门缓缓关上，身后爆发出巨大声响。

???Clukay! Get down from the table, you can't dance there aaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh—可露凯！从桌子上下来，那里不是跳舞的地方，啊——

The scene devolves into utter chaos.沙尘飞扬，一片鸡飞狗跳……

Nora and Angela have been running all this while toward the stall at top speed. Chanzhi has been waiting there for a while now.野良和安吉拉一路上马不停蹄，以最快的速度抵达售卖摊位，缠枝在此等候已久。

Nora(Pants heavily) Holy crap, I thought I was going to die back there. Good thing we shook them off...……呼呼……要死要死，终于把那几个家伙甩开了……

NoraIf it wasn't because of my long years of experience dodging Zangyin's pursuit, they would have caught and executed me on the spot.要不是我日常躲蔵音积累了经验，早就被她们抓住处决了。

AngelaDear Sprint-derella, do take care to not run too fast and lose your glass slippers~童话中的落跑灰姑娘，小心跑得太快丢掉自己的玻璃鞋哟。

NoraCake, champagne, fruits... We should be able to do a lot of business with all this stuff. I'm totally knackered, though.蛋糕，香槟，水果……拿了这么多东西，算来应该能卖好久了吧。不过我现在真的已经累瘫了。

NoraI might actually end up dying of exhaustion if I have to do retail on top of all that.再花时间和买家交涉，我可能会心力交瘁而死。

ChanzhiHehe, then leave the rest to me, Nora.哼哼，那接下来就交给我吧，野良。

NoraChanzhi? Will you be okay?缠枝？你没问题吗？

ChanzhiHey, don't look down on me. I am an embroiderer, you know? I wouldn't be able to create designs loved by the public if I couldn't understand my customers' requirements.不要小瞧我。好歹我也是刺绣大师，要是不能完全理解顾客的需求，就设计不出被公众认可的刺绣作品。

ChanzhiRecently, I've been reading up on books like "The Greatest Salesman In The World", "The Ultimate Oasis Salesman Guide" and "Three Words I Used To Make Customers Spend 1,000,000".最近我通宵阅读了《如何成为营销高手》《绿洲营销大师速成指南》以及《三句话让顾客为我花一百万》。

ChanzhiI'm sure I can sell off all the stuff you guys went to such lengths to gather!相信一定可以顺利把大家辛苦运来的东西都卖出去的！

NoraEr... Please stop reading such sketchy books.呃……少看点乱七八糟的书啦。

AngelaHoho, there's no need to worry. If there's anything Chanzhi doesn't know, I can give her pointers.呵呵不用担心，就算缠枝有些事情不懂我也可以教她。

NoraAlright, then. Urgh, my legs hurt. I'll go sit down in the rest area over there...好吧。唔……腿都酸了，我去对面的休息区歇一会儿……

Angela watches as Nora heads off into the distance to lie down before gently patting Chanzhi's head.安吉拉目送野良走向远处的躺椅，轻轻拍拍缠枝的头。

AngelaWe're up next, so do your best~ We need to sell all the things we worked so hard to bring over.接下来就是我们的主场了~加油！要尽力把运过来的货物全部卖出去。

ChanzhiOkay!嗯！

The two of them head over to Riko's rented stall and arrange the merchandise neatly, waiting for customers to arrive.两人拿着货物来到理子之前租下的摊位前，把商品一一摆放整齐，等待客人光顾。

10 minutes pass... 20 minutes pass... Half an hour passes...十分钟……二十分钟……半个小时过去了……

ChanzhiAhhhhh~ It's been so long; why hasn't anyone come over yet?啊——怎么这么久了一个顾客都没有来啊。

AngelaCould it be that our wares aren't appealing enough?难道是我们的货物不够吸引人吗？

ChanzhiHmm, let me think... Where could we have gone wrong... Wait! That's right, I just need to check my books!嗯……我想想我想想，究竟是哪里错了……书？！翻翻书就知道了！

Chanzhi pulls out one of her salesmanship books and quickly browses through it. The confusion fades from her eyes as she reads, replaced by a fierce fighting spirit that has blazed up there.缠枝手忙脚乱掏出一本书，来来回回看了几遍。翻飞的书页清洗掉眼中迷茫，熊熊斗志在瞳孔中燃烧。

ChanzhiMhm, mhm, I see... I think I understand what's going on now.嗯嗯嗯，原来如此……我已经完全理解了当下的情况。

AngelaAnd what exactly is going on?什么意思呢？

ChanzhiThis is no longer the age of word-of-mouth! We need to advertise! There's no way we can attract any business just by piling stuff up on a counter!现在已经不是什么酒香不怕巷子深的时代了！宣传才是至关重要的，只把货物摆在柜台里可无法引起大家的购买欲望。

ChanzhiWe need to announce the merits of our merchandise to the world!我们应该大声地把自己商品的特点告诉大家！

AngelaSo... a banner?准备一个横幅？

ChanzhiNot just that! We need to be showier! Grander!不够！当然要更招摇一些！

AngelaHuh? Chanzhi, what are you doing?诶？缠枝你做什么啊？

ChanzhiThis is the "Evil Professor Wonder Undefeated Shocking Ultra High Speed Sales Expert Loudspeaker" that came free with the book.这是随书附赠的“由暗黑博士发明的霹雳无敌吓你一跳让你火速化身营销专家的神奇扩音器”。

ChanzhiSupposedly, all you have to do is push this button and you can clear your inventory in short order.据说只要按下这个键，就可以以最快速度把货物卖出去。

AngelaShall we give it a try, then?那我们试试?

ChanzhiMhm!嗯嗯！

Chanzhi excitedly presses the button, and the old-school gramophone-style loudspeaker slowly begins to emit an echoing sound.缠枝兴奋地按下播放键，老旧喇叭形扩音器中缓缓流出浑厚的声音。

ATTENTION OASIS! ATTENTION OASIS! Seaside Sundries is going out of business! Its owner, Riko, owes 3.5 billion DGC and has skipped town with her Professor...麦戈拉绿洲！麦戈拉绿洲！滨海杂货铺倒闭了！老板理子欠下3.5个亿，带着她的教授跑了……

...As such, we had no choice but to sell our wares to make our wages. Delicious refreshments that would normally retail at 2000, no, 3000 DGC are now going for just 10 DGC!……我们没有办法，拿着货物抵工资。原价都是三千多、二千多、一千多的美食，通通十块，通通十块！

Riko, you're an evil skinflint! We worked all year for you, but you didn't pay us! Pay us back for our sweat! Pay us back for our blood! Pay us back for our tears!理子你不是人，我们辛辛苦苦给你干了大半年，你不发工资，你还我血汗钱，还我血汗钱！

AngelaThis feels... very ancient. It seems this book was put on sale a long, long time ago. Speaking of which, is it okay for us to talk like this about Riko?这种远古的时代感……感觉像是很久以前出土的营销书籍了。话说回来，我们这么说理子真的好吗？

ChanzhiOh, that's alright. I'm sure she'll understand us. We all have to make sacrifices to sell this merchandise.没关系，我想她一定会理解我们的。为了把东西卖出去，我们大家都要做出一定的牺牲啊。

ChanzhiPerhaps she might even end up thanking us after seeing our sales today.说不定等她看到卖了那么多，到时候还会来谢谢我们。

AngelaMhm, selling the product is the most important thing. Oh? Are those customers I see? Hehe~ Welcome...嗯嗯，把货物卖出去要紧。诶？好像有客人来了！呵呵~欢迎光临……

The warehouse is a complete mess, and I am forced to leave at Centaureissi's insistence. She and the others can clear up the Dragon-level disaster that is a drunk Clukay.货栈已经乱成一锅粥，在桑朵莱希的强势要求下，我被迫撤离。至于醉酒可露凯带来的龙级灾难，就交给她们善后了。

But who would have expected that in just a short time, the beach rest area would be full of people, jam-packing all the roads and alleys. The poor-quality sound from a loudspeaker is vaguely audible over the hubbub.谁也没料到仅仅这么一会儿，海滩边上的休息区就围满了人，把道路堵得水泄不通。扩音喇叭的劣质机械音在耳边时隐时现。

扩音器...Seaside Sundries is going out of business! Its owner, Riko, owes 3.5 billion DGC and skipped town with her Professor...……滨海杂货铺倒闭了！老板理子欠下3.5个亿，带着她的教授跑了……

扩音器...As such, we had no choice but to sell our wares to make our wages. Delicious refreshments that would normally retail at 2000, no, 3000 DGC are now going for just 10 DGC!……我们没有办法，拿着货物抵工资。原价都是三千多、二千多、一千多的美食，通通十块，通通十块！

My vision goes blank for a moment as those words burrow into my ears.沙哑的喇叭声一股脑钻进我的耳朵里，眼前霎时变得一片空白。

ProfessorJust... Just 10 DGC?!统统……十块……十块？！

I fight my way to the head of the crowd, and Chanzhi immediately greets me with a smile.我拨开人群冲到最前面，缠枝见到我立刻笑脸迎接。

ChanzhiAh! If it isn't our beloved Professor!啊！原来是我们敬爱的教授呀！

ChanzhiWant some snacks? Everything here is going for just 10 DGC apiece.要不要带一点零食走啊？我们这边所有商品，统统只要十个底格币哦。

ProfessorIs this how you've been selling things all this while?你们一直这么卖东西吗？

ChanzhiWe're trading profit margins for volume, it's a legitimate sales technique. That's what the book said!薄利多销嘛，是营销手段的一种啊。书上是这么写的！

Chanzhi waves the book she is holding.缠枝晃了晃手里的书本。

ProfessorBut the expenses far outweigh your sales prices, Chanzhi.可是这些东西的成本远远超过你的定价啊，缠枝。

ChanzhiThat's okay! Even if our costs outweigh our sales, we'll make money as long as we sell more stuff.没关系！就算成本高于定价，只要我们卖得够多就能赚钱了。

ProfessorIf you keep selling products at a price that's below the cost needed to bring them in... Doesn't that mean you're basically paying for each sale you make?如果一直低于成本价出售……这样我们不就会卖一个赔一个吗？

ChanzhiWell, a quantitative change leads to a qualitative change. That's just because we have a small sales volume. If we sell more, I'm sure we'll... We'll...量变引起质变。那是因为我们卖的数量少，卖的数量多的话，一定就能……就能……

Chanzhi suddenly goes pale as it hits her. Her lips quivers, and she starts to tear up.突然回过神的缠枝大惊失色，小嘴一撇，眼泪岑岑。

Chanzhi(Sniffle) If... if we sell more, we'll lose more... (sob) I messed up.. (sobs more)呜呜……卖的数量多，亏得也越多啊……呜呜呜……我搞错了啊呜呜呜呜……

Chanzhi(Sobs) I need to tell Angela. Hopefully, we can hold on to what stock we have...呜呜……要快点告诉安吉拉，这样剩下的货还能保住……

ChanzhiHuh? Angela, didn't you have some stock here just now?咦？！安吉拉，这边还有一些货物呢？

Angela is preoccupied, and it takes her a while to respond to Chanzhi. She seems a little embarrassed.忙碌的安吉拉回过身来，露出有些不好意思的表情。

AngelaAh, there were some little agents just now who didn't have any money but wanted popsicles, so I let them have some... But it was just a few popsicles, so that should be okay, right?啊，刚才有一群小智能体没有带钱，又很想吃棒冰的样子，我就让她们拿走了……只是一点棒冰，应该没事吧？

Chanzhi(Sob) Now we don't have popsicles either... (sobs more)呜呜……这下棒冰也没了，呜呜呜呜呜……

AngelaI-I'm sorry. Should I ask them to give them back? Don't cry...对、对不起，要不我去让她们把棒冰还回来？别哭了小缠枝……

Professor(Sigh) No, don't bother.唉……不用了。

I bend down and help to wipe away Chanzhi's tears. As I explain the situation to them, I shut the loudspeaker off.我蹲下边给缠枝擦眼泪，边和安吉拉解释清楚前因后果，顺便默默把扩音器喇叭关上。

AngelaI see... I apologize, Professor, I didn't know how much these things cost. If only I had realized it earlier...原来是这样……对不起教授，我对货物的成本没什么概念，要是能早点注意到就好了……

ProfessorThat's okay, we should probably think of what to do next...没事，还是想想接下来怎么办……

??Got you at last, you thieves who steal stuff when people aren't looking!终于让我逮到你们了！趁人不备偷走货物的小偷们！

A trio of furious bunnygirls finally arrive. Chanzhi glances at Jiangyu, and after a beat lasting exactly three seconds, she continues crying.怒气冲冲的兔女郎们终于抵达了战场。缠枝抬头看了一眼绛雨，停顿了三秒之后继续大哭。

JiangyuOh come on, you don't have to turn on the waterworks just because you got caught; it's not like I'm going to do anything to you...喂喂喂……就算被抓到了也不至于哭得这么凄惨吧，我又不会做什么……

ProfessorYou're back? What happened to Clukay?你们回来了？可露凯她们怎么样？

CentaureissiThe alcohol wore off, so her teammates are taking care of her. As for you... Did something happen, Commander?酒劲慢慢消退了，其他队员正在照顾她。倒是你们……发生什么事了吗，长官？

ProfessorWe messed up the price here, and we're probably going to incur a loss. But that's okay. I'll just have to blow through my secret savings; hohoho, it's nothing; there's no need to comfort me...这边搞错了售价，估计要亏本了呵呵。其实也没关系，最多也就是把我这段时间积攒的私房钱一次性亏光呵呵呵没关系不用安慰我……

JiangyuHey, we're standing right here, you know. How can you give up so easily?喂喂喂，我们还在，怎么能这么简单就妥协？

CentaureissiWell, things being what they are now, would Team Slack... I mean, Team Stamina Preservation like to work with us?事到如今，你们摆烂……养精蓄锐组要不要和我们合作？

AngelaWork together?合作？

ChanzhiBut we owe money now... Won't we drag you down, bunnies?可是现在我们是负债状态……会不会拖累兔兔你们……

CentaureissiI'm drawn to your potential worth. We brought some stock over from the warehouse, and we'll need to sell it off.我看中的是你们的潜在价值。我们组也从货栈运了一些商品过来， 总要想法子把它们卖掉。

AngelaBut won't we lose money if we keep selling it like this?可是如果还按照我们这样的方式售卖，恐怕会继续亏本吧？

CentaureissiWell, you have a secret weapon on your side, namely Nanaka. If Nanaka promotes your products on social media, you could handle sales volume without an issue.你们还有最大的杀器——七花。如果七花能在社交网络上宣传一下商品，销量问题自然迎刃而解。

CentaureissiUndine, help me check the sales data for Nanaka merch last year.温蒂妮，帮我查一下去年七花周边销售的数据。

UndineLet's see... Miss Nanaka set a new record for merch sales last year, with the total sales being... Wow, that's a lot of zeroes! I'd have to work for centuries without eating or drinking to match that...好的……去年七花小姐相关周边的销量再破新高，销售总额……哇，这么多个零！我不吃不喝要打工几百年……

Undine's hands tremble as she clicks on the detailed information projected from her terminal. In the end, she is no match for the unending stream of digits which she can never hope to equal.温蒂妮双手颤抖，点开了终端投影上的数据统计详情。终究还是被一串望不到尽头的数字给击溃。

After realizing the sheer disparity between her income and that of Nanaka's, she is plunged into such deep despair that she turns monochrome on the spot. Jiangyu grabs her and shakes her to try to bring her to her senses.意识到自己和别人巨大的经济差距后，人形少女绝望到当场褪色成黑白。绛雨抓住她的肩膀拼命摇晃，试图让她回神。

JiangyuDon't lose your way, Undine! The important thing now is to sell the remaining stock! We still have a volleyball game with the Professor waiting for us!不要失去斗志啊！温蒂妮！现在最重要的是把剩下的货物卖出去，教授还在等我们一起打沙滩排球呢！

Centaureissi(Clears throat) If we win, we could absorb you into our beach volleyball game. After all, if it's just for fun, it doesn't matter how many or how few people are playing it.咳咳，如果我们获胜的话，可以吸纳你们加入沙滩排球组。娱乐性质的排球，多几个人少几个人都不影响。

Chanzhi(Sob) Nanaka must have a hard time making commercials all day long. Do we really want to bother her with this stuff?呜呜，七花花每天赶通告那么辛苦。真的要让她操心这些事吗？

ChanzhiI don't want to make her tired, but I can't think of any other solutions...缠枝不想让七花劳累，可是也没有其他的好办法……

NanakaIs it time for me to make my entrance?到我出场的时间了吗？

Nanaka walks out from behind the crowd with a smile on her face.七花笑眯眯从身后的人群走出。

NoraNanaka?七花？

NanakaEveryone's been worried about Nanaka's idol status and you wouldn't let me do anything tiring or troublesome, whether it's moving stock or making sales.无论是运货还是售卖，大家都担心会影响七花idol的身份，无论什么重的累的都不想让我干。

NanakaBut Nanaka doesn't want to run away by herself! The superstar idol Nanaka wants to have a happy and fun beach vacation with everyone~★可是七花不想一个人逃避！超弩级偶像七花也想和大家一起度过快乐的海滨假日啊~★

Chanzhi(Sniffle) Nanakaaaaa~呜呜呜……七花花~~~~

After seeing how nice Nanaka is being, Chanzhi feels even more guilty and buries her tear-filled face into Nanaka's bosom.看到这么体贴的七花，缠枝内心的愧疚之意更甚，哭着冲进七花怀里。

NanakaI'll do my best to advertise our products on social media! And of course, I'll give the best possible show for our fans who have come from afar to see us.我会努力在社交网站上宣传我们的商品！当然也要为那些远道而来的粉丝们献上最精彩的表演。

ChanzhiBut doesn't that mean you'll be working, Nanaka?那七花花岂不是又要工作？

NanakaAww, don't cry, Chanzhi~ Nanaka will think of a way to recoup our losses. A popular idol needs to show off her charm.缠枝不哭~七花一定会想办法把失去的所有夺回来！人气偶像要展现自己的魅力了哦。

NanakaIt's show time☆!It's show time☆！

Nanaka is thoroughly fired up, and likewise, she ignites a fire in everyone's hearts.干劲十足的七花也点燃了在场每一个人的斗志。

JiangyuOhhhhhhhh! I'm feeling it! Now I'm motivated!哇！燃起来了燃起来了！

ProfessorI'll lend a hand too. If Nanaka's going to hold a concert, we'll need someone to keep order. That's where Team Stamina Preservation comes in.我也来帮忙好了，七花要开演唱会的话，需要一些人帮忙维持秩序，这个工作就交给你们养精蓄锐组了。

JiangyuJust leave sales to us!至于商品售卖，就包在我们身上了！

CentaureissiYup. I believe my bargaining skills should be quite decent after long years of marketing experience. Besides, Master will be helping out too.嗯，过去积累了多年的采购经验，想必现在和别人讨价还价起来也不会生疏。何况现在还有长官帮忙。

UndineWe won't disappoint the fans!一定不会让粉丝失望的！

Stardust 繁星

Night falls across the beach, but the mood is as fervid as ever. The guerrilla concert at the seaside turns the beach into a field of twinkling stars.夜色逐渐笼罩了海滩，热情却依旧不消退。海边的临时演唱会现场荧光汇成星海。

NanakaLadies and gentlemen, please raise your penlights~ Let's light up the night with Nanaka~现场的各位，请举起你们手中的荧光棒~和七花一起把演唱会的气氛点燃吧！

Once news of Nanaka's concert spreads, agents from various sectors flock over. Not only do they buy up all the products Nanaka recommends, they even sweep up the other stalls on the beach.七花在绿洲海滨突击召开演唱会的消息一经公开，扇区内的智能体纷纷响应，不但把所有七花推荐的商品扫荡一空，甚至连海滩上其他的小商店都没放过。

Nanaka's performance is energetic and full of passion, and her audience enthusiastically responds to her stage calls. Agents keep flooding in, and the once-quiet shopfront is now jam-packed with people.台上的七花热情满满，台下的观众也打起十分精神欢呼打call。不断有智能体涌入现场，原本冷清的杂货铺也变得门庭若市，人山人海。

After sending off wave after wave of customers, we finally get a short break.我们送走了一波又一波的客人，终于迎来了短暂的休息。

JiangyuAhhhh... I'm so tired... I didn't expect Nanaka to bring in so many people; I've never seen crowds like this before... I can't go on. Let me lie down a little.啊……累死了……没想到七花的号召力这么强，我还是第一次见到这么多人，不行了……让我躺会儿。

UndineEveryone, I have some good news for you.各位，我有个好消息要告诉大家。

Undine can't hide the joy on her face as she tallies the accounts.在一边计算账目的温蒂妮隐藏不住脸上的喜悦。

JiangyuOh? What is it, what is it?嗯？什么什么？！

UndineBased on my calculations, we ought to be the team with the highest income.经过我计算，不出意外的话，我们应该是收入最高的组。

JiangyuWhich means... The Professor is going to spend their last day of beach vacation with us?!那也就是说……教授最后的海滨假日要和我们一起度过了？！

ProfessorYou do know it's night-time already, right? Are you still going on about that competition?都到晚上了还这么执着于胜负啊。

JiangyuIt's not the same, Professor! There's a sense of accomplishment if we earn the right to be with you.那不一样教授！如果和教授的相处机会是我们自己争取来的，那就会更有成就感。

CentaureissiWhile the situation is pretty much finalized, we cannot relax just yet. Clukay and the others have been quiet for a while now, but they haven't made a move yet.虽说大局已定，但现在还不能懈怠。可露凯她们组沉寂了这么久，怎么一点动静都没有。

UndineI'm a little worried too. Clukay should have woken up by now, but I haven't seen Team Ocean Dancer since we left the warehouse.我也有些担心，不管怎样可露凯这个时间都应该醒了吧，从货栈出来之后就再也没见过随波逐流组了。

CentaureissiPerhaps... there is some kind of conspiracy at work here...或许……有什么阴谋也说不……

粉丝Excuse me... Are these the snacks that Miss Nanaka recommended?请问……这里有七花小姐推荐的必吃甜点吗？

A passing fan looks around curiously.一位路过的粉丝好奇探头张望。

粉丝A lot of her fans were posting about this cake on social media.有很多歌迷在社交媒体上发布了这个，就是这款蛋糕。

She brings up a projection of the dessert in question and shows it to Centaureissi.她打开投影向桑朵莱希展示。

CentaureissiAh... Well...啊……这……

Centaureissi seems a little uncomfortable.桑朵莱希面露难色。

粉丝So you're out of stock, then... I rushed over from the Security Department the moment I clocked off, but I still didn't make it in time..没有了吗……虽然下班之后很努力地从安全局赶过来，可是还是没有了……

CentaureissiWe apologize... We will increase our supply next time.不好意思……下次我们一定加大供应量。

粉丝(Sigh) I thought there would be some left behind since we were at the edge of the beach... Oh well, I suppose it can't be helped.唉，原本想这里在海滩最外围，应该会有剩余的……算了，这也是没办法的事。

The forced smile on the fan's face strikes a chord with everyone, and the bunnygirls fall silent. The fan sighs again and turns to leave.粉丝的强颜欢笑触动了每个人的心，兔女郎全员陷入沉默。女孩轻轻叹气转身离开。

After she takes a few steps, the distant thunder of an engine suddenly draws everyone's attention.刚走出没几步，远处雷鸣般的摩托声使众人立刻陷入警觉。

JiangyuIs that a motor engine? Is it Team Ocean Dancer?水上摩托？是随波逐流组？！

CentaureissiThey can't win now. If they show up, they might have a scheme of some sort in mind.她们现在已经毫无胜算了，这时候出现可能有诈。

UndineI'll protect these Diggcoins, the hard-won fruits of our victory...我会守护好这些底格币的，这些来之不易的胜利果实……

BanxsyOkay, okay, the kerfuffle in the warehouse is over, we give up. There's one last crate of stock... oof, that's heavy... we brought it over.货栈的煽情小剧场时间已经结束了，我们投降。还有一箱货物……唔好重……运过来了。

Banxsy jumps off the jet ski and unloads its cargo with Evelyn.坂口希跳下水上摩托和伊芙琳一起卸货。

JiangyuIf you've got any tricks up your sleeve, go ahead and play them now. No matter what you pull, the Professor is going to end up with us.坂口希，你们有什么阴谋尽管使出来，无论你使什么手段，教授最后都只会和我们在一起。

BanxsyIt's all Clukay's fault... we'd have gotten here sooner if she hadn't gotten drunk so easily.都怪可露凯……如果不是她这么容易就醉了，我们也不会现在才赶回来。

Banxsy pulls the lollipop out of her mouth and points to Clukay, who's sound asleep.坂口希抽出棒棒糖顺手指了指摩托后面睡得香甜的可露凯。

Clukay...Mmm... Fessor... gimme 'nother...……教授……再来一杯……

UndineAh, it seems she's dreaming of the Professor.啊，似乎梦到教授了呢。

EvelynFortunately, we had the Professor leave ahead of time. There's no way a human could have withstood the warehouse collapsing.幸亏让教授早点撤离了，人类可扛不住地动山摇，仓库崩塌。

EvelynIt took us a long time to get her drunken butt under control. If nothing else, at least we managed to keep the rest of the visitors on the beach safe.我们花了不少时间控制住醉酒的她，这样才保证了沙滩上其他游客的安全。

BanxsyIn any case, we brought the stuff here. It won't last long, and some items need refrigeration. See what you can do with it.无论如何货物算是运回来了。这些东西不耐储存，尤其还有一些必须冷藏。你们看着办吧。

BanxsyEvelyn and I are bad at this stuff, so after some thinking, we decided that it would be better off in your hands.我跟伊芙琳都不擅长这种事情，想来想去还是交给你们比较好。

JiangyuIn our hands... Doesn't that mean you're giving up on being with the Professor? No regrets?交给我们……那你们不就自动放弃教授了，不遗憾吗？

EvelynWell, we wanted to go surfing with the Professor. But the winds and waves are really strong at night, and even though the Professor hardly gets any time off, their safety ultimately takes precedence. So I guess the surfing will have to wait.原本我们想和教授一起海上冲浪。但夜晚风大浪大，难得有个假日还是以安全为主。至于冲浪，下次有机会再一起吧。

BanxsyI can imagine how Clukay's going to pout in frustration when she wakes up, hehe.已经能想到可露凯醒来以后在一旁懊悔生闷气的样子了，呵呵。

CentaureissiIn that case... Excuse me, dear customer who came all this way! Please wait!那这样的话……那位远道而来的客人，请等一下！

Upon hearing someone call out to her, the customer stops in her tracks before looking back and pointing to herself in confusion.听到呼唤自己的声音，走远的顾客回头，手足无措地指着自己面露惊讶。

粉丝Whuh?! Were you talking to me?？！嗯……是在叫我吗？

CentaureissiIndeed. As it turns out, we have some stock remaining of that cake which Nanaka recommended.没错，你说的那款七花推荐的蛋糕，还有。

粉丝Really?!真的？！

JiangyuOf course. We went through a ton of effort to bring it over by jet ski in order to satisfy her fans' needs.当然是真的。为了满足粉丝们的要求，我们可是煞费苦心用水上摩托大老远调货过来。

Undine points to the cake that Evelyn and Banxsy have just put into the cold case. A dazzling smile slowly spreads across the agent's face.温蒂妮指了指伊芙琳她们刚摆到冷藏柜内的蛋糕。灿烂的笑容在智能体的脸上慢慢绽开。

粉丝This is great! There are a ton of fans who want some too, I'll call them over! There should be around 50... no, 150 of them.太好了！还有很多粉丝和我一样想买，我把他们叫来！大概50……不，150人左右吧。

JiangyuWait, that many?!这么多人吗？！

粉丝Well, if you don't have enough cake, then other food items recommended by Nanaka or her merch are fine too~如果没有蛋糕，其他的七花小姐推荐美食或者周边都可以~

JiangyuHmm... 150 portions of food...唔……150人份的食物……

ProfessorThat's alright. Since Nanaka invited all of you fans here, we'll give you the warmest reception we can muster. Satisfaction guaranteed.没关系，七花邀请了粉丝，无论什么时候我们都会用最饱满的热情接待，一定会让你们满意。

粉丝R-Really?真、真的吗？

ProfessorI don't think the warehouse is closed yet. Evelyn, Banxsy, please bring some more stock here.货栈现在应该还没关门，伊芙琳、坂口希，麻烦你们尽量多运一些货回来。

EvelynUnderstood. Please hold on a bit, then. We'll be back ASAP.了解。那就请这位粉丝稍等一下，我们会以最快速度赶回来。

粉丝Thank you! Thank you, everyone!谢谢、谢谢大家！

歌声Like a star in the night, erase these uncertain feelings and make my wish come true... Like a star in my mind, embrace my true, non-decorated me...长夜被微光照亮，以双手呵护萤火……温柔笑意驱散心中迷茫，是你们给予我重生的力量……

The penlights sway in the distance in time with the faint rhythm of the distant music. Everyone's hearts are buoyed by the song, and their eyes gleam with light.远处的荧光海伴随清甜悠扬的歌声波浪起伏。每个人的情绪都被歌声牵引心神荡漾，眼瞳中流光溢彩。

ProfessorThat's lovely...真美啊……

CentaureissiYou've worked hard, Professor. You didn't get any rest all day...辛苦了教授。您一天了都没休息……

ProfessorWell, I'd probably turn my bones lazy if I did nothing but lie under that beach umbrella all day long. Jiangyu was right; I need to move around a little.在遮阳伞下躺一整天肯定会变成懒骨头。绛雨说得对，我还是要稍微活动一下。

CentaureissiOne moment please. The outcome that the three teams agreed on will soon be evident.稍等一会儿，我们三队之前的约定结果很快就会揭晓。

UndineBut we can't sunbathe at night while surfing at night is dangerous, and we're all tired out from working all day, so beach volleyball is out too.可是太阳都落山了，晚上没法晒日光浴，刺激的冲浪在夜晚也变得危险，忙碌了一天更没有力气再打沙滩排球了呀。

UndineAnd here I wanted to make a happy summer memory with you, Professor...原本想和教授一起留下美好的夏日回忆……

ProfessorThe clear night sky is intoxicating, as is the cool night breeze of summer.晴空丽日让人心醉，微凉夏夜也同样让人沉迷。

ProfessorHaha, well, you should hurry and finish up your work. I have a surprise for you.哈哈，得赶紧把手头儿的工作干完，我还有惊喜要给你们。

UndineHuh?诶？

Under the setting sun, Riko, who had been lying on the beach all day, suddenly jumps up like a salmon.夕阳西下，原本直挺挺躺在沙滩上的理子一个鲤鱼打挺蹦了起来。

理子Hmm, seems like it's time to get up and collect my money.哎呀，我掐指一算该起床收钱了。

ProfessorWell, you're on time. Centaureissi just sent me a message saying they just finished selling all the stock they brought over.还真是准时，桑朵莱希发消息说之前运来的货她们刚刚售卖完毕。

理子Ohhhh, my businesswoman's DNA is getting excited! I can hear the Diggcoins calling to me... Oh yeah, where's my terminal? My terminal, my terminal... Wait, I'm holding it.成功商人的DNA开始躁动！底格币在深情呼唤我，对了，我的终端呢？终端……哦，在我手上。

Still a little groggy from her heatstroke, Riko glances at the terminal and instantly comes to her senses as she stares at the figures.之前中暑昏迷的理子此刻完全清醒，直勾勾盯着终端上的进账数字。

理子100,000... Ah, no... 1,000,000! Ohoho, well done, Professor! I can't believe you created a mercantile miracle in just one day!10万……呃不是……100万！！哦呵呵，不愧是教授啊， 竟然在短短一天内创造了销售奇迹！！

理子This is the highest daily sales total I've had in the past three years! Oh yes, I'm supposed to split it with you 40/60... Ahhhh~ my heart, how it aches...超过了理子我三年以来最高的单日销售额。对了……忘记还要和教授四六分成……啊~~~~我的心好痛，好痛啊……

ProfessorActually, I don't mind waiving my share...这次的分成可以免……

理子(Sobs) Thank you so much, oh generous, kind, great and noble Professor who understands Riko's suffering! You are like the sun of Magrasea, shining down on us...呜呜呜呜，慷慨富有善良伟大的教授体会到了理子的辛苦，真是太感谢了！您如同麦戈拉的太阳，照亮我们……

ProfessorBut I have a condition...但是我有个条件……

理子I am an honest and independent merchant, so please be gentle.我们是正规小本买卖，还教授请手下留情啊。

ProfessorThese girls have been working hard all day. Could you help organize a bonfire party as a reward for them?那些姑娘们忙碌了一整天了，能帮我准备一场篝火派对犒劳犒劳她们吗？

理子Well...这个嘛……

At long last, the bustling beach is silent again as the stars spread across the night sky. Undine lines up the skewered fish by the bonfire as Centaureissi helps Clukay sober up on the beach and Jiangyu calls Nanaka over as she wraps up her concert.热闹的海滩终于在星垂旷野的时候回归了宁静。点燃篝火后，温蒂妮在旁边架上了烤鱼，桑朵莱希陪可露凯在沙滩醒酒，绛雨招呼刚刚退场的七花过来休息。

Riko is reluctantly following a list I drafted and setting up a sumptuous feast for the girls, serving them up on a nearby dinner table.理子被逼无奈按照我的采购清单准备了一批聚会美食，心不甘情不愿把它们摆上餐桌。

理子...Why did you pick such a big cake, Professor... and the bottles of champagne you chose were the most expensive kind...……教授怎么订定这么大的蛋糕……还有那几瓶香槟，挑的还是最贵的……

理子(Sob) Riko hasn't even eaten stuff this good before. I'm feeling physical pain here...呜呜呜，理子自己都没吃过这么好的，真的很肉痛啊……

JiangyuAw, relax, you've already made so much, so what's wrong with having a party with us? Here, have a roasted fish skewer as a reward for your hard work~放宽心放宽心~你都已经赚那么多了，陪我们一起开派对不是也挺好吗？来来来，赏你烤鱼一条~

Undine(Sigh)唉……

NanakaWhat's wrong, Undine?为什么叹气啊，温蒂妮？

UndineI've been doing a lot of part-time work recently and barely managed to save up for a new swimsuit, so I thought I'd get the chance to be alone with the Professor...之前一直都在打工攒钱，好不容易买了新泳衣，原本以为有机会和教授独处……

A sly grin spreads across Nanaka's face, and she continues questioning Undine.七花闻言露出了狡黠的笑容，试探温蒂妮。

NanakaWell, the wind is mild and the surf is up, while the bonfire on the ground is matched with the stars in the sky. Isn't this a great chance for you to have a dance with the Professor?清风海潮，篝火繁星。这不是和教授共舞的好时机吗？

JiangyuDancing?! What kind of dance? With who?!跳舞？！什么跳舞？！和谁？！

Jiangyu's ears perk up and she immediately inserts herself into the group.绛雨听到风声凑了过来。

NanakaWith the Professor, of course?当然是和教授跳舞了。

JiangyuWe're dancing with the Professor? Count me in~跟教授一起跳舞？那我也要~

UndineWe can do that in these clothes? I thought you needed fancy formal wear for that...穿成这样子？舞会是不是应该要那种礼服长裙啊……

NanakaLet me think... Since there are so many of us... I think a round dance might be good.我想想……我们这么多人的话……圆舞应该是个不错的选择。

NanakaWe'll switch partners between dances so everyone can have a turn with the Professor. That way, we can all have some time alone with them.几轮舞伴交替，每个人都能跟教授一起舞蹈，这样不论是谁都会有跟教授独处的时间。

UndineAlone? But... Ack! Nanaka! What are you doing?!独处？可是……哎哎！七花！你做什么？

NanakaProfessor~教授——

Nanaka waves to me, then pushes Undine over from behind.七花冲我甜笑招手，而后推着扭捏的温蒂妮走到我面前。

Undine...D-Don't push me.……不、不要推了。

NanakaProfessor, Undine says she would like to dance with you~教授，温蒂妮说想和您一起跳舞哦。

ProfessorOh, really?嗯？真的？

Her face, tinted red by the bonfire, Undine nods dazedly.面庞被篝火映红，温蒂妮恍恍惚惚点了下头。

ProfessorHehe, while I don't think I can manage anything too complicated, simple routines are no problem for me.呵呵，复杂的舞步我不太擅长，简单的嘛自然不在话下。

NanakaThat's alright, we can teach you. Isn't that right, Undine?没关系，我们可以教您啊。对吧，温蒂妮？

ProfessorI'll be in your care then, Maestra Undine.那就麻烦你了，温蒂妮老师。

The girls launch into a lively round dance, accompanied by elegant music. Each of them gets a turn with me, and a chance to share their innermost feelings amidst the warm firelight.优雅乐曲做伴，少女们围着篝火按照圆圈轨迹轻快起舞。她们所有人的手都会与我相牵，在温暖光焰中分享悸动已久的心声。

UndineThank you for today, Professor... You helped us sell so much and helped us avoid a lot of pitfalls today.今天谢谢你了，教授……帮我们售卖了那么多东西，还让我们少走了很多弯路。

ProfessorSo it's just thanks, then? Then this lovely scenery is a little wasted.只是感谢吗？那未免有些浪费这么美好的景色。

UndineIn future... Can I spend my summer days with you like this in future? I want to make more memories with you...以后每个夏日，都可以和教授……一起度过吗？留下更多的回忆……

The girl's voice grows quieter and quieter until her final words sound like a kitten mewing.少女的声音越来越低，尾音像是幼猫呢喃。

ProfessorOf course. There's no problem at all.当然没问题。

ProfessorNow that I think about it, what happened this morning was a real mess. If only we had thought of this earlier, I'd have picked up these simple steps in an instant.回想起今天早上还真是灾难，要是早点想到这个方法就好了。这种简单的舞步一学就会。

UndineMmm...唔……

Undine stumbles and falls into my arms.温蒂妮被绊了一下跌进我怀里。

Professor...Hm? Oh no, did I step on your feet just now?……诶？我刚刚是不是踩到你了。

UndineThat's alright. You'll get the hang of it soon enough. But even if you learn from me...没关系，教授再跳会儿一定就熟练了。不过就算在我这里学不会……

UndineThere are nine other talented dance instructors waiting for you. I'm sure your skills will improve by leaps and bounds.还有其他9位舞蹈老师在等着你，教授的舞技一定会飞速进步的。

僚机Deet-deet-deet, beep-beep—嘀嘀嘀哔哔——

As the music winds down, a pair of lovely blue eyes remains glued to mine.乐曲小节接近尾声，莹蓝双眸中充斥着不舍。

UndineSo it's time to change partners, then...要换舞伴了啊……

Centaureissi bows to me from a place not far off. Seeing this, Undine gently pushes me forward so I arrive in front of her. The music picks up again, and my hand finds its place around Centaureissi's waist, like it's the most natural thing in the world.不远处的桑朵莱希笑容优雅向我欠身行礼。温蒂妮见状轻轻推了我一把，把我送到她面前。跟随音乐节奏，我的手自然地揽住桑朵莱希细弱的腰肢。

ProfessorNine more, hm...还有9个啊……

CentaureissiYou need to focus more while dancing, Master.跳舞要专心一点哦，长官。

(Sigh) Looks like this won't be as easy as I thought. Still...唉，看来也没有想象中那么容易。不过算了……

The gentle breeze is accompanied by the sound of the surf, while the bonfire is matched by the sparkling stars above. Longing and expectation wait in the heart of each of the girls, lit by the dream-like glow of the firelight.清风与涛声相伴，篝火映夜色繁星。如梦似幻的朦胧火光中，每位少女的内心都暗藏着一份期待。

This is a one-of-a-kind summer memory, after all...毕竟这可是独一份的夏日回忆……

Fan archive of the official game scripts. All story text and art belong to their publishers.